Skip to main content

Diageo releases 8 ‘Spirit Xchange 2.0’ special release whiskies — what to know

Diageo is releasing these limited edition expressions

Diageo
Diageo

If you’re a single malt Scotch whisky fan, you probably eagerly await Diageo’s special releases each year. Lucky for you, the iconic brand recently launched its 2024 Special Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky collection. This year’s theme is ‘Spirited Xchange 2.0’ and it’s a way for Diageo to showcase innovative and unique flavors.

They did this by aging and finishing some of your favorite single malt whiskies in interesting and creative barrels under the guidance of Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. The result is a genuinely exciting range of whiskies for single malt aficionados to sip slowly while they unlock every nuanced, complex aroma and flavor.

Recommended Videos

Diageo 2024 Special Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky ‘Spirited Xchange 2.0’

When we say this is a collection of single malt whiskies, we aren’t joking. Diageo is releasing eight unique expressions. These include Lagavulin ‘Fireside Tales,’ which matures in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, Oban ‘Coastal Orchard,’ which is finished in charred American oak barrels seasoned with oloroso sherry, and Mortlach ‘Midnight Dusk,’ which is finished in sweet Ramandolo white and Sangiovese red wine casks.

Other expressions include Talisker ‘Tidal Churn’ (using a stone-spun method), The Singleton ‘Autumn Walk’ (matured in ex-bourbon, ex-wine, and refill barrels before being finished in European Oak and Pyrenean Oak cask-ends), Benrinnes ‘Grand Crescendo’ (a 21-year-old expression matured in American Oak wine casks, European Oak casks, and rejuvenated casks with charred ends),Roseisle ‘Origami Kite 2’ (matured in first-fill ex-bourbon and refill barrels), and Caol Ila ‘Ambrosial Feast’ (matured in refill and ex-wine barrels).

Where can I buy these expressions?

Diageo
Diageo

These limited-edition expressions are available in small quantities at select stores, specialized Scotch whisky retailers, and malts.com (prices vary per expression).

Buy Now

Christopher Osburn
Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
Wild Turkey celebrates its Master Distiller’s 70th anniversary with special release
"I've never worked a day in my life," says Jimmy Russell
Wild Turkey Bourbon 70th anniversary release

Wild Turkey is one of those iconic bourbon brands that needs no introduction -- known mostly for its high quality but affordable whiskeys, but also sometimes for occasional special releases. Now, the brand is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell, with a limited edition 8 year old release.

The Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon is made to Russell's specific tastes, as he has been working in the distillery since he was 18 and has risen through the ranks to become the master behind many of the brand's favorite releases including the iconic Wild Turkey 101. The new release is 101 proof and is a blend of 8 and 9 year old whiskeys that offers notes of oak and honey, with flavors of cream and butterscotch with a bitter chocolate finish.

Read more
The Macallan celebrates 200 years with the release of an 84 year old whisky
The Time : Space series includes an ultra exclusive pair but also a more widely available single release
the macallan time space mastery still shot

High-end whisky brand The Macallan, known for its spectacular rare releases, is coming out with more hard-to-acquire treasures as part of a new series called Time : Space. The pair of new releases includes a vintage from 1940, bottled at a highly unusual 84 years old.

The series celebrates The Macallan's 200th anniversary, and so as well as the 1940 vintage the set will include the first release from The Macallan's new distillery from 2018. The pair are presented in a gorgeous dual chamber bottle, with the older vintage in the outer.

Read more
Redemption Whiskey takes on French winemaking methods for this special release
It uses the Sur Lie method, making use of the distillate remains called the lees
redemption sur lee rye 819573531 redemptionsurleeonbarrel  png

Redemption Whiskey is one of the brands that consistently makes our lists for best rye whiskies, thanks to its spicy sweet character and classic flavor profile. But as well as the popular regular rye expression, the brand also puts out more experimental releases in its Specialty Series. Now, it is introducing the Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey, inspired by French winemaking processes.

Named after a form of French wine aging, the Sur Lee whiskey begins with Redemption's regular rye mash bill, but it departs from tradition by making use of the remains left after distilling, called the lees. This is added back into the distillate to add more flavor and character, and requires the barrels to be turned during the aging process to let the two interact. Once aged, the whiskey is then non-chill filtered to remove any residue which maintaining flavors.

Read more